A civil union is a legally recognized relationship between members of a same-sex couple, with rights similar to those of a marriage relationship.
In New Hampshire, civil unions were once a form of legal recognition for same-sex couples, providing them with rights similar to those of marriage. However, this changed when New Hampshire legalized same-sex marriage. The state began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on January 1, 2010, following the passage of legislation in 2009 that recognized same-sex marriages. With this change, civil unions were no longer necessary as a separate form of legal recognition. Furthermore, existing civil unions were converted to marriages on January 1, 2011, unless dissolved, annulled, or otherwise legally terminated before that date. Therefore, in New Hampshire, the concept of a civil union as a distinct legal entity from marriage no longer applies, as same-sex marriage provides the same legal rights and responsibilities as those afforded to opposite-sex married couples.